Pulsed RF methods for optimization of CW measurements

ABSTRACT

A method for magnetic detection includes (a) providing optical excitation to a magneto-optical defect center material using an optical light source, (b) providing pulsed radio frequency (RF) excitation to the magneto-optical defect center material using a pulsed RF excitation source, and (c) receiving an optical signal emitted by the magneto-optical defect center material using an optical detector, such that the magneto-optical defect center material includes a plurality of magneto-optical defect centers and that (a) and (c) occur during (b).

FIELD

The present disclosure generally relates to magnetic detection systems, and more particularly, to a magnetic detection system with pulsed RF methods for optimization of CW measurements.

BACKGROUND

Diamond Nitrogen Vacancies (DNVs) can be used to measure very small changes in magnetic fields when properly excited by radio frequency (RF) and optical fields. Continuous wave (CW) excitation schemes require a delicate balance between the RF energy used to excite the DNVs and the laser power required to reset the diamond quantum state. This balance constrains the magnetometer sample bandwidth and sensitivity. Traditional CW laser/CW RF excitation limits the bandwidth of the sensor to respond to changing RF and associated intensity levels, particularly for vector applications (e.g., magnetometry or communication) involving excitation of nitrogen vacancies (NVs) across multiple diamond lattice vectors and resonance states.

Traditional DNV excitation schemes focus on pure CW excitation or pure pulsed excitation, where “pure” excitation indicates that both the laser/optical and the RF excitation are both either pulsed or CW. Current methods to increase magnetometer bandwidth (i.e. rate at which the magnetometer records data) in pure CW excitation schemes call for increasing laser power and RF power. However, a balance is required between the RF energy required to excite the DNV system and the laser power required to restore the diamond quantum state. For example, while higher RF power may increase intensity contrast, it also requires a longer polarization time to restore the diamond quantum state. Moreover, very high laser power systems are inefficient for functioning as low C-SWAP (cost, size, weight, and power) sensors.

Pure pulsed excitation schemes also prove to be inferior to continuous laser/pulsed RF excitation schemes if the timing jitter of the laser excitation after RF excitation is not sufficiently controlled or if the laser excitation ramp-up is not sufficiently consistent. Thus, laser pulsing in a pure pulsed excitation scheme may create a more dynamic thermal equilibrium than continuous laser excitation which can introduce additional noise into system measurements.

Moreover, for high-powered pulsed laser excitation, usual control methods involve acousto-optic modulators (AOM), which introduce additional vibration risks into sensor design, generally require large moment arms for the laser excitation path, and inherently sweep the laser onto the diamond-producing variations in the onset of laser excitation across the diamond (and in the thermal state of the NV across the diamond). The longer moment arm limits the ability to produce a low C-SWAP sensor.

A fundamental challenge for both pulsed and CW common excitation schemes is the time imbalance of dimming (measurement contrast due to non-fluorescent inter-system crossing of [NV−] for resonant RF frequencies) versus brightening (re-polarization of [NV−] quantum states) of the excited diamond. Brightening is often in excess of 100 times slower a process than dimming. For traditional pure CW excitation schemes, either the magnetometer bandwidth is limited by laser power or the sensitivity is limited by the RF power generated about the diamond.

A need exists for improved technology, including magnetic detection systems, and more particularly, for a magnetic detection system with pulsed RF methods for optimization of CW optical measurements.

SUMMARY

According to some embodiments, a method for magnetic detection comprises (a) providing optical excitation to a magneto-optical defect center material using an optical light source, (b) providing pulsed radio frequency (RF) excitation to the magneto-optical defect center material using a pulsed RF excitation source, and (c) receiving an optical signal emitted by the magneto-optical defect center material using an optical detector, wherein the magneto-optical defect center material comprises a plurality of magneto-optical defect centers, and wherein (a) and (c) occur during (b).

According to some embodiments, the step of providing pulsed RF excitation comprises at least one pulse sequence, the at least one pulse sequence including at least one period of idle time followed by at least one period of RF pulse. According to some embodiments, the at least one period of idle time comprises at least one period of reference collection time. According to some embodiments, the at least one period of reference collection time occurs during (a) and (c), but not during (b). According to some embodiments, the at least one period of RF pulse comprises at least one period of settling time and at least one period of collection time. According to some embodiments, the at least one pulse sequence is for a time ranging between 100 μs and 2000 μs.

According to some embodiments, the at least one period of idle time is shorter than the at least one period of RF pulse. According to some embodiments, the pulsed RF excitation occurs at a single frequency. According to some embodiments, a different single frequency is selected for each diamond lattice vector and associated m_(s)=±1 spin state.

According to some embodiments, the at least one period of idle time is longer than the at least one period of RF pulse. According to some embodiments, the pulsed RF excitation frequency is swept.

According to some embodiments, the method further comprises, following the step of receiving an optical signal, suppressing the optical detector and the pulsed RF source. According to some embodiments, the method further comprises repolarizing the optical light source to set the magneto-optical defect center material for subsequent measurement. According to some embodiments, the optical light source is continuously applied throughout the method for magnetic detection.

According to some embodiments, a system for magnetic detection comprises a controller configured to (a) provide optical excitation to a magneto-optical defect center material using an optical light source, (b) provide pulsed radio frequency (RF) excitation to the magneto-optical defect center material using a pulsed RF excitation source, and (c) receive an optical signal emitted by the magneto-optical defect center material using an optical detector, wherein the magneto-optical defect center material comprises a plurality of magneto-optical defect centers, and wherein (a) and (c) occur during (b).

These and other features of the implementations described herein, together with the organization and manner of operation thereof, will become apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like elements have like numerals throughout the several drawings described below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates one orientation of a Nitrogen-Vacancy (NV) center in a diamond lattice.

FIG. 2 illustrates an energy level diagram showing energy levels of spin states for the NV center.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a NV center magnetic sensor system.

FIG. 4 is a graph illustrating the fluorescence as a function of an applied RF frequency of an NV center along a given direction for a zero magnetic field, and also for a magnetic field having a non-zero component along the NV axis.

FIG. 5A is a schematic illustrating a traditional Ramsey sequence of optical excitation pulses and RF excitation pulses.

FIG. 5B is a graph illustrating the fluorescence as a function of an applied RF frequency for four different NV center orientations for a non-zero magnetic field.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating some embodiments of a magnetic field detection system.

FIG. 7 illustrates a magneto-optical defect center material excitation scheme operating in CW Sit mode using a CW laser functioning throughout and a pulsed RF excitation source operating at a single frequency having a pulse repetition period of approximately 110 μs.

FIG. 8 illustrates a magneto-optical defect center material excitation scheme operating in CW Sweep mode using a CW laser functioning throughout and a pulsed RF excitation source swept at different frequencies having a pulse repetition period of approximately 1100 μs.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In pure CW excitation schemes, continuous RF and laser power set-ups are used to generate fluorescence in DNV systems, which are then measured to estimate magnetic field. Prior to this measurement, it is common to adjust RF excitation frequency and allow the DNV system to settle at a new steady state level of fluorescence.

In pure pulsed excitation schemes, laser/optical excitation is applied for an extended period of time with no RF excitation to polarize (i.e. reset) the quantum state of the ensemble DNV system. After the laser is turned off (for example, with an acousto-optic modulator (AOM) shutter or laser power controller), a series of RF excitation pulses are applied to the diamond for a predetermined duration and having predetermined power and frequency to optimize DNV sensitivity. Once the RF pulse sequence is completed, the laser/optical excitation is restarted and a fluorescence measurement is captured to estimate magnetic field. In practical implementation, the laser polarization pulse and laser/optical excitation pulse (which leads to fluorescence measurement) are combined as a single, longer duration pulse between RF pulse sequences. Common DNV Pulse techniques include Ramsey and Hahn Echo excitations.

The present disclosure describes a magnetic detection system having a laser operated in CW mode throughout and a pulsed RF excitation source operating only during fluorescence measurement periods. Pulsing the RF only during fluorescence measurement periods rather than maintaining a CW RF excitation source allows for RF-free laser time for faster quantum reset and thus, higher bandwidth measurements; higher RF peak power during bandwidth measurements to meet sensitivity objectives; and, an improved sensor C-SWAP by reducing RF duty cycle and supporting efficient implementation of a two-stage optical excitation scheme. Moreover, the RF pulsing methods disclosed herein also allow for shortening of the RF pulse width to optimize and balance the overall DNV system response.

Some embodiments of a pulsed RF excitation source are described with respect to a diamond material with NV centers, or other magneto-optical defect center material. The intensity of the RF field applied to the diamond material by the RF excitation source will depend on the power of the system circuit. Specifically, the power is proportional to the square of the intensity of the RF field applied. It is desirable to reduce the power of the system circuit while maintaining the RF field. By pulsing the RF excitation, the total RF energy required by the sensor system may be reduced, thus producing a more efficient sensor (having a lower power and thermal loading) while maintaining the high RF power during excitation and readout required for overall sensitivity.

The NV Center, its Electronic Structure, and Optical and RF Interaction

The NV center in a diamond comprises a substitutional nitrogen atom in a lattice site adjacent a carbon vacancy as shown in FIG. 1. The NV center may have four orientations, each corresponding to a different crystallographic orientation of the diamond lattice.

The NV center may exist in a neutral charge state or a negative charge state. The neutral charge state uses the nomenclature NV⁰, while the negative charge state uses the nomenclature NV, which is adopted in this description.

The NV center has a number of electrons, including three unpaired electrons, each one from the vacancy to a respective of the three carbon atoms adjacent to the vacancy, and a pair of electrons between the nitrogen and the vacancy. The NV center, which is in the negatively charged state, also includes an extra electron.

The NV center has rotational symmetry, and as shown in FIG. 2, has a ground state, which is a spin triplet with ³A₂ symmetry with one spin state m_(s)=0, and two further spin states m_(s)=+1, and m_(s)=−1. In the absence of an external magnetic field, the m_(s)=±1 energy levels are offset from the m_(s)=0 due to spin-spin interactions, and the m_(s)=±1 energy levels are degenerate, i.e., they have the same energy. The m_(s)=0 spin state energy level is split from the m_(s)=±1 energy levels by an energy of approximately 2.87 GHz for a zero external magnetic field.

Introducing an external magnetic field with a component along the NV axis lifts the degeneracy of the m_(s)=±1 energy levels, splitting the energy levels m_(s)=±1 by an amount 2 gμ_(B)Bz, where g is the g-factor, μ_(B) is the Bohr magneton, and Bz is the component of the external magnetic field along the NV axis. This relationship is correct to a first order and inclusion of higher order corrections is a straightforward matter and will not affect the computational and logic steps in the systems and methods described below.

The NV center electronic structure further includes an excited triplet state ³E with corresponding m_(s)=0 and m_(s)=±1 spin states. The optical transitions between the ground state ³A₂ and the excited triplet ³E are predominantly spin conserving, meaning that the optical transitions are between initial and final states that have the same spin. For a direct transition between the excited triplet ³E and the ground state ³A₂, a photon of red light is emitted with a photon energy corresponding to the energy difference between the energy levels of the transitions.

There is, however, an alternative non-radiative decay route from the triplet ³E to the ground state ³A₂ via intermediate electron states, which are thought to be intermediate singlet states A, E with intermediate energy levels. Significantly, the transition rate from the m_(s)=±1 spin states of the excited triplet ³E to the intermediate energy levels is significantly greater than the transition rate from the m_(s)=0 spin state of the excited triplet ³E to the intermediate energy levels. The transition from the singlet states A, E to the ground state triplet ³A₂ predominantly decays to the m_(s)=0 spin state over the m_(s)=±1 spins states. These features of the decay from the excited triplet ³E state via the intermediate singlet states A, E to the ground state triplet ³A₂ allows that if optical excitation is provided to the system, the optical excitation will eventually pump the NV center into the m_(s)=0 spin state of the ground state ³A₂. In this way, the population of the m_(s)=0 spin state of the ground state ³A₂ may be “reset” to a maximum polarization determined by the decay rates from the triplet ³E to the intermediate singlet states.

Another feature of the decay is that the fluorescence intensity due to optically stimulating the excited triplet ³E state is less for the m_(s)=±1 states than for the m_(s)=0 spin state. This is so because the decay via the intermediate states does not result in a photon emitted in the fluorescence band, and because of the greater probability that the m_(s)=±1 states of the excited triplet ³E state will decay via the non-radiative decay path. The lower fluorescence intensity for the m_(s)=±1 states than for the m_(s)=0 spin state allows the fluorescence intensity to be used to determine the spin state. As the population of the m_(s)=±1 states increases relative to the m_(s)=0 spin, the overall fluorescence intensity will be reduced.

The NV Center, or Magneto-Optical Defect Center, Magnetic Sensor System

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a NV center magnetic sensor system 300 that uses fluorescence intensity to distinguish the m_(s)=±1 states, and to measure the magnetic field based on the energy difference between the m_(s)=+1 state and the m_(s)=−1 state, as manifested by the RF frequencies corresponding to each state. The system 300 includes an optical excitation source 310, which directs optical excitation to an NV diamond material 320 with NV centers. The system further includes an RF excitation source 330, which provides RF radiation to the NV diamond material 320. Light from the NV diamond may be directed through an optical filter 350 to an optical detector 340.

The RF excitation source 330 may be a microwave coil, for example. The RF excitation source 330, when emitting RF radiation with a photon energy resonant with the transition energy between ground m_(s)=0 spin state and the m_(s)=+1 spin state, excites a transition between those spin states. For such a resonance, the spin state cycles between ground m_(s)=0 spin state and the m_(s)=+1 spin state, reducing the population in the m_(s)=0 spin state and reducing the overall fluorescence at resonances. Similarly, resonance and a subsequent decrease in fluorescence intensity occurs between the m_(s)=0 spin state and the m_(s)=−1 spin state of the ground state when the photon energy of the RF radiation emitted by the RF excitation source is the difference in energies of the m_(s)=0 spin state and the m_(s)=−1 spin state.

The optical excitation source 310 may be a laser or a light emitting diode, for example, which emits light in the green (light having a wavelength such that the color is green), for example. The optical excitation source 310 induces fluorescence in the red, which corresponds to an electronic transition from the excited state to the ground state. Light from the NV diamond material 320 is directed through the optical filter 350 to filter out light in the excitation band (in the green, for example), and to pass light in the red fluorescence band, which in turn is detected by the detector 340. The optical excitation light source 310, in addition to exciting fluorescence in the diamond material 320, also serves to reset the population of the m_(s)=0 spin state of the ground state ³A₂ to a maximum polarization, or other desired polarization.

For continuous wave excitation, the optical excitation source 310 continuously pumps the NV centers, and the RF excitation source 330 sweeps across a frequency range that includes the zero splitting (when the m_(s)=±1 spin states have the same energy) photon energy of approximately 2.87 GHz. The fluorescence for an RF sweep corresponding to a diamond material 320 with NV centers aligned along a single direction is shown in FIG. 4 for different magnetic field components Bz along the NV axis, where the energy splitting between the m_(s)=−1 spin state and the m_(s)=+1 spin state increases with Bz. Thus, the component Bz may be determined. Optical excitation schemes other than continuous wave excitation are contemplated, such as excitation schemes involving pulsed optical excitation, and pulsed RF excitation. Examples of pulsed excitation schemes include Ramsey pulse sequence, and spin echo pulse sequence.

The Ramsey pulse sequence is a pulsed RF-pulsed laser scheme that measures the free precession of the magnetic moment in the diamond material 320 with NV centers, and is a technique that quantum mechanically prepares and samples the electron spin state. FIG. 5A is a schematic diagram illustrating the traditional Ramsey pulse sequence. As shown in FIG. 5A, a Ramsey pulse sequence includes optical excitation pulses and RF excitation pulses over a five-step period. In a first step, during a period 0, a first optical excitation pulse 510 is applied to the system to optically pump electrons into the ground state (i.e., m_(s)=0 spin state). This is followed by a first RF excitation pulse 520 (in the form of, for example, a microwave (MW) π/2 pulse) during a period 1. The first RF excitation pulse 520 sets the system into superposition of the m_(s)=0 and m_(s)=+1 spin states (or, alternatively, the m_(s)=0 and m_(s)=−1 spin states, depending on the choice of resonance location). During a period 2, the system is allowed to freely precess (and dephase) over a time period referred to as tau (τ). During this free precession time period, the system measures the local magnetic field and serves as a coherent integration. Next, a second RF excitation pulse 540 (in the form of, for example, a MW π/2 pulse) is applied during a period 3 to project the system back to the m_(s)=0 and m_(s)=+1 basis. Finally, during a period 4, a second optical pulse 530 is applied to optically sample the system and a measurement basis is obtained by detecting the fluorescence intensity of the system. The RF excitation pulses applied are provided at a given RF frequency, which correspond to a given NV center orientation.

In general, the diamond material 320 will have NV centers aligned along directions of four different orientation classes. FIG. 5B illustrates fluorescence as a function of RF frequency for the case where the diamond material 320 has NV centers aligned along directions of four different orientation classes. In this case, the component Bz along each of the different orientations may be determined. These results, along with the known orientation of crystallographic planes of a diamond lattice, allow not only the magnitude of the external magnetic field to be determined, but also the direction of the magnetic field.

While FIG. 3 illustrates an NV center magnetic sensor system 300 with NV diamond material 320 with a plurality of NV centers, in general, the magnetic sensor system may instead employ a different magneto-optical defect center material, with a plurality of magneto-optical defect centers. The electronic spin state energies of the magneto-optical defect centers shift with magnetic field, and the optical response, such as fluorescence, for the different spin states is not the same for all of the different spin states. In this way, the magnetic field may be determined based on optical excitation, and possibly RF excitation, in a corresponding way to that described above with NV diamond material. Magneto-optical defect center materials include but are not limited to diamonds, Silicon Carbide (SiC) and other materials with nitrogen, boron, or other chemical defect centers. Our references to diamond-nitrogen vacancies and diamonds are applicable to magneto-optical defect materials and variations thereof.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a system 600 for a magnetic field detection system according to some embodiments.

The system 600 includes an optical light source 610, which directs optical light to an NV diamond material 620 with NV centers, or another magneto-optical defect center material with magneto-optical defect centers. An RF excitation source 630 provides RF radiation to the NV diamond material 620. The system 600 may include a magnetic field generator 670 which generates a magnetic field, which may be detected at the NV diamond material 620, or the magnetic field generator 670 may be external to the system 600. The magnetic field generator 670 may provide a biasing magnetic field.

The system 600 further includes a controller 680 arranged to receive a light detection signal from the optical detector 640 and to control the optical light source 610, the RF excitation source 630, and the magnetic field generator 670. The controller may be a single controller, or multiple controllers. For a controller including multiple controllers, each of the controllers may perform different functions, such as controlling different components of the system 600. The magnetic field generator 670 may be controlled by the controller 680 via an amplifier 660, for example.

The RF excitation source 630 may be controlled to emit RF radiation with a photon energy resonant with the transition energy between the ground m_(s)=0 spin state and the m_(s)=±1 spin states as discussed above with respect to FIG. 3, or to emit RF radiation at other nonresonant photon energies.

The controller 680 is arranged to receive a light detection signal from the optical detector 640 and to control the optical light source 610, the RF excitation source 630, and the magnetic field generator 670. The controller 680 may include a processor 682 and a memory 684, in order to control the operation of the optical light source 610, the RF excitation source 630, and the magnetic field generator 670. The memory 684, which may include a nontransitory computer readable medium, may store instructions to allow the operation of the optical light source 610, the RF excitation source 630, and the magnetic field generator 670 to be controlled. That is, the controller 680 may be programmed to provide control.

Pulsed RF Methods

Similar to traditional CW DNV techniques, a laser is operated in CW mode throughout. To obtain magnetometry measurements, an RF pulse at the relevant resonant frequency is applied to a diamond and the resulting fluorescence is measured by one or more photo detectors. By controlling the RF pulse and photo detector collection times, a short but sufficient time is provided to allow the RF pulse to interact with the relevant [NV−] electron spin state and affect the corresponding level of diamond fluorescence dimming. Upon completion of the photo detector collection interval, both the RF excitation source and photo detector are suppressed, and the laser begins repolarization of the [NV−] quantum states to set the diamond system for the next measurement. By suppressing the RF excitation source during repolarization, the normally competing RF/laser quantum drivers are simplified to allow only the laser repolarization, with a subsequent decrease in required time for full repolarization and, therefore, greater DNV CW magnetometry sample bandwidth.

Example 1

FIG. 7 illustrates a magneto-optical defect center material excitation scheme operating in CW Sit mode using a CW laser functioning throughout and a pulsed RF excitation source operating at a single frequency having a pulse repetition period (i.e. pulse sequence) of approximately 110 μs. The CW Sit mode of collection at a fixed frequency (per diamond lattice and ±1 spin state resonance) does not preclude shifts between the different lattices, each of which would have a fixed RF excitation frequency.

As understood by those skilled in the art, a baseline CW Sweep was conducted prior to the CW Sit excitation scheme operation to select resonance frequencies and establish the relationship between fluorescence intensity and magnetic field for each diamond lattice and ±1 spin state. This relationship captures how a CW Sit excitation scheme-measured fluorescence intensity change for each lattice and spin state indicates a shift in the local baseline CW Sweep which, to first order, is proportional to a change in the external magnetic field.

In some embodiments, the pulse sequence includes a period of idle time followed by a period of time for an RF pulse. The idle time allows for repolarization of [NV−] electron spin states by light from the laser before the RF pulse. According to some embodiments, the period of time for the RF pulse is greater than the period of idle time. In some embodiments, the period of time for the RF pulse may vary between approximately 56 μs and 109 μs, or 60 μs and 105 μs, or 65 μs and 100 μs, or 70 μs and 95 μs, or 75 μs and 90 μs, or 80 μs and 85 μs. In some embodiments, the period of time for the RF pulse may be about 80 μs. In some embodiments, the period of idle time may vary between approximately 1 μs and 54 μs, or 5 μs and 50 μs, or 10 μs and 45 μs, or 15 μs and 40 μs, or 20 μs and 35 μs, or 25 μs and 30 μs. In some embodiments, the period of idle time may be about 30 μs.

In some embodiments, the period of idle time includes an optional period of time for reference collection with the RF pulse off. In other words, a reference fluorescence may be measured prior to applying the RF pulse to the diamond at the relevant resonant frequency. The reference collection measures the baseline intensity of fluorescence prior to RF excitation such that the net additional dimming due to the RF may be estimated by comparison with this reference (i.e. subtraction of the baseline fluorescence). For collections across multiple diamond lattices in which the fluorescence “dimming” from the previous RF excitation may not have fully repolarized, the reference collection allows measurement of the additional dimming caused by excitation of the new set of [NV] along the next diamond lattice. In some embodiments, the period of time for reference collection may vary between 1 μs and 20 μs. In some embodiments, the period of time for reference collection may be about 5 μs. In some embodiments, the period of time for reference collection may vary proportionally with the period of idle time (i.e. longer periods of idle time having longer periods of time for reference collection).

In some embodiments, the period of time for the RF pulse includes a period of settling time followed by a period of time for fluorescence measurement (i.e. collection time). During collection time, both the CW laser and the RF pulse are “on” and the fluorescence is detected by the photo detectors. This period of time for fluorescence measurement may vary between 56 μs and 95 μs, or 60 μs and 90 μs, or 65 μs and 85 μs, or 70 μs and 80 μs. In some embodiments, the period of time for fluorescence measurement may be about 60 μs.

Example 2

FIG. 8 illustrates a magneto-optical defect center material excitation scheme operating in CW Sweep mode using a CW laser functioning throughout and a pulsed RF excitation source swept at different frequencies having a pulse repetition period of approximately 1100 μs. In some embodiments, the pulse sequence includes a period of idle time followed by a period of time for an RF pulse. According to some embodiments, the period of idle time is greater than the period of time for the RF pulse. In some embodiments, the period of time for the RF pulse may vary between approximately 1 μs and 549 μs, or 25 μs and 525 μs, or 50 μs and 500 μs, or 75 μs and 475 μs, or 100 μs and 450 μs, or 125 μs and 425 μs, or 150 μs and 400 μs, or 175 μs and 375 μs, or 200 μs and 350 μs, or 225 μs and 325 μs, or 250 μs and 300 μs. In some embodiments, the period of time for the RF pulse may be about 100 μs. In some embodiments, the period of idle time may vary between approximately 551 μs and 1099 μs, or 575 μs and 1075 μs, or 600 μs and 1050 μs, or 625 μs and 1025 μs, or 650 μs and 1000 μs, or 675 μs and 975 μs, or 700 μs and 950 μs, or 725 μs and 925 μs, or 750 μs and 900 μs, or 775 μs and 875 μs, or 800 μs and 850 μs. In some embodiments, the period of idle time may be about 1000 μs.

In some embodiments, the period of idle time includes an optional period of time for reference collection with the RF pulse off. In some embodiments, this period of time for reference collection may vary between 1 μs and 20 μs. In some embodiments, the period of time for reference collection may be about 5 μs. In some embodiments, the period of time for reference collection may vary proportionally with the period of idle time (i.e. longer periods of idle time having longer periods of time for reference collection). In some embodiments, the period of time for the RF pulse includes a period of settling time followed by a period of time for fluorescence measurement (i.e. collection time). This period of time for fluorescence measurement may vary between 56 μs and 95 μs, or 60 μs and 90 μs, or 65 μs and 85 μs, or 70 μs and 80 μs. In some embodiments, the period of time for fluorescence measurement may be about 60 μs.

The pulsed RF method, together with CW laser excitation, provides improved sample bandwidth over traditional CW DNV excitation while maintaining the sensitivity of the traditional methods. The reduction in RF duty cycle requires less power and creates less thermal drive on the diamond sensor. This reduction in duty cycle offers greater flexibility for practical sensor design trades. The pulsed CW method allows for increasing bandwidth without increasing both the RF and laser power. In combination with reduced power usage, these trade spaces support an improved overall sensor C-SWAP. This improved C-SWAP increases implementation of efficient DNV magnetometry sensors. The proposed solution is also compatible with high power-low duty cycle laser repolarization techniques to support faster sampling and increased sample bandwidth for vector magnetometry and/or thermally compensated multi-lattice excitation techniques.

The embodiments of the inventive concepts disclosed herein have been described in detail with particular reference to preferred embodiments thereof, but it will be understood by those skilled in the art that variations and modifications can be effected within the spirit and scope of the inventive concepts. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for magnetic detection, the method comprising: (a) providing optical excitation to a magneto-optical defect center material using a single optical light source; (b) providing pulsed radio frequency (RF) excitation to the magneto-optical defect center material using a pulsed RF excitation source; and (c) receiving an optical signal emitted by the magneto-optical defect center material using an optical detector, wherein the magneto-optical defect center material comprises a plurality of magneto-optical defect centers, wherein (a) and (c) occur during (b), and wherein the optical light source is continuously applied throughout the method for magnetic detection.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of providing pulsed RF excitation comprises at least one pulse sequence, the at least one pulse sequence including at least one period of idle time followed by at least one period of RF pulse.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the at least one period of idle time comprises at least one period of reference collection time.
 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the at least one period of reference collection time occurs during (a) and (c), but not during (b).
 5. The method of claim 2, wherein the at least one period of RF pulse comprises at least one period of settling time and at least one period of collection time.
 6. The method of claim 2, wherein the at least one pulse sequence is for a time ranging between 100 μs and 2000 μs.
 7. The method of claim 2, wherein the at least one period of idle time is shorter than the at least one period of RF pulse.
 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the pulsed RF excitation occurs at a single frequency.
 9. The method of claim 8, wherein a different single frequency is selected for each diamond lattice vector and associated ms=±1 spin state.
 10. The method of claim 2, wherein the at least one period of idle time is longer than the at least one period of RF pulse.
 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the pulsed RF excitation frequency is swept.
 12. The method of claim 1, wherein following the step of receiving an optical signal, suppressing the optical detector and the pulsed RF source.
 13. The method of claim 12, further comprising repolarizing the optical light source to set the magneto-optical defect center material for subsequent measurement.
 14. A system for magnetic detection, comprising: a controller configured to (a) provide optical excitation to a magneto-optical defect center material using a single optical light source; (b) provide pulsed radio frequency (RF) excitation to the magneto-optical defect center material using a pulsed RF excitation source; and (c) receive an optical signal emitted by the magneto-optical defect center material using an optical detector, wherein the magneto-optical defect center material comprises a plurality of magneto-optical defect centers, wherein (a) and (c) occur during (b), and wherein the optical light source is continuously applied throughout (b) and (c). 